Wives of two men facing extradition say families hurting
THE wives of two of the men in custody for more than a year, pending the outcome of their extradition hearing on alleged drug trafficking charges, say their family lives have gone downhill since their spouses were arrested.
Deborah Henry, wife of police corporal Herbert ‘Scarry’ Henry, said the arrest of her spouse has made life difficult for their five children.
“My eldest son is developing behavioural problems. Ever since his father was arrested he has changed for the worse,” Henry told the Observer. “The children’s grades have fallen badly and they are teased in school by other children,” she added.
Henry, who said she was forced to close a wedding centre and a hairdressing parlour following her husband’s arrest, said her last child does not know his father.
“When he was first arrested I was six month’ss pregnant. My last child is 11 months-old and his father has never seen him,” Henry said.
Claudia Williams, wife of Robroy ‘Spy’ Williams, another of the men facing extradition to the United States, had a similar story to tell.
“It has been 14 months now and they have not seen their father. Their lives have been shattered and we are living on the edge. Does the system care about that?” said a teary-eyed Williams.
Children are not allowed to visit their relatives at the New Horizon Remand Centre.
Williams and Henry were among six men who appeared before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s court this week. The two men, along with Vivian Dalley, Norris ‘Dedo’ Nembhard, Glenford Williams and Colombian National Loius Arias, were remanded in custody.
On Thursday defence lawyer Katherine Phipps, who is representing Nembhard, criticised the length of time it took for the hearings to be done.
“It is cruel and inhumane,” Phipps told the court.
Resident Magistrate Martin Gayle was in agreement.
“It is taking a toll on the family and we need to finish,” RM Gayle said.
The extradition hearing will continue on Monday.
Drug enforcement agents in Tampa, Florida accused the men of conspiring to import more than five kilos of cocaine and more than 1,000 kilos of marijuana into the United States.
